I'm in the process of sanding down my teak swim platform and was wondering how much do you need to remove? I've been using 80 grit sandpaper for a few hours and there are still small areas of shine (residual oil) and some darkness at the edges/cracks. So do I have to suck it up and get everything off or if I leave a few areas will it not be noticeable once I put on the 80/20 mix of linseed oil and mineral spirits?

Thanks for the replys. This forum has helped me out a bunch and also opened my eyes to all the things that I need to work on. It reminds me of a picture at my grandma's place "The definition of a boat: a hole in the water surrounded by wood into which one pours money".

I'm in the process of sanding down my teak swim platform and was wondering how much do you need to remove? I've been using 80 grit sandpaper for a few hours and there are still small areas of shine (residual oil) and some darkness at the edges/cracks. So do I have to suck it up and get everything off or if I leave a few areas will it not be noticeable once I put on the 80/20 mix of linseed oil and mineral spirits?

Thanks for the replys. This forum has helped me out a bunch and also opened my eyes to all the things that I need to work on. It reminds me of a picture at my grandma's place "The definition of a boat: a hole in the water surrounded by wood into which one pours money".

The platform on my old Prostar and the SN I grew up with were always treated to an occasional sanding/oiling and looked good. The platform on my current X2 however, is in dire need of attention.

Almost embarrased to post this, but here's a pic:

I've been hesitant to proceed because it appears as if it's been sealed as opposed to just oiled. You can see the darker areas which appear finished vs. the lighter unsealed areas.

Any specific recommendations on how to proceed given the splotchy finished surface? I'm not looking to make this into a piece of furniture a la TMCN01, but would like to protect it and make it look presentable. Guess I'm looking for a quick and dirty set of cliff notes to get this thing in shape for the rest of the summer with the assumption I'll do more later??

I sanded (dry) my platform with 150, then 220 grit and applied Starbright Gold to my platform over the weekend. It looks great and is drying in my garage and the temp. is maybe 45-60 degrees in the garage. Do I need a heat lamp to get the oil to soak in, or just time? I think in a few weeks I will wet sand w/ 400 and do another coat of oil. I am not going for perfection, just a good looking platform that performs well and holds up. When people "wet sand" with soapy water, what kind of soap is recommended? any other suggestions based on where I am now, and where I'm heading? Sun is not an option as it hasn't been over freezing wher I am for 21 days straight.

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"One foot in the grave, one foot on the pedal, I was born a rebel" Petty

Back from vacation and my 150 then 220 grit and oil is drying. I am going for durability and not satin. If I wet sand w/400, what moisture do I use? Some say soapy water, what kind of soap? Also, do I use a heatlamp to get the oil to penetrate before wet sanding, or both before and after?

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"One foot in the grave, one foot on the pedal, I was born a rebel" Petty

I have added about three coats or so to the platform and it looks much better. I think it just adds to the overall look of the boat now. It's amazing what a difference a little teak oil/mineral spirits makes.